If this information is listed somewhere, I would love to be directed to it!

I think I need some clarification about custom tribute items :)

Disclaimer: I am NOT a fan of copying, haha, but these examples will make it seem that way. I'm just using extremes in order to better understand the scope of the rules. I promise! :D

I understand that an item would be a tribute if the source reference (character) is copyrighted. At least, I think I do! So, Princess Peach's gown obviously would have to be a tribute and have 4 changes.

How about, say, an evening gown designed by Elie Saab? Are these designs copyrighted? Would it be allowed to make a Subeta version of a dress in that way? Would it then need 4 changes or can it be essentially the same? I remember doing something similar with "skins" in The Sims.

Another example I'm curious about: say, a shirt being sold by an Etsy shop. Would a garment like this be allowed as a reference, with no changes to it?

I guess I'm just trying to differentiate between what is a tribute and what is just being inspired by a real life garment :) Thank you for any and all input!

- People have done cws of runway gowns before without listing them as a tribute. I thought tribute was in terms of like say costumes or items from movies. You can't use etsy anything as reference or so I was told before.

Thank you for posting! :D And of course now I have yet another question for anyone who might know: I often use, say, 4 or 5 references to show how I want the top of something, how I want the hem of something, how I want something to drape. Then the final product is a culmination so it looks nothing like the reference pieces. I wonder if I need to be careful there as well when I'm selecting references so they are not from Etsy or the like, even if I'm just trying to reference the shape of the collar or something.

A generic gown design wouldn't necessarily need to follow tribute rules. However, it's better safe than sorry when it comes to work that references something specific just in case people later point out that an item on Subeta comes from somewhere else without proper sourcing. There shouldn't be an issue as long as you disclose everything when you submit the CW. :)

is an example of something that explicitly pays tribute.

Thank you for posting! I do tend to use better safe than sorry, so I'm sure I'll just continue :) I always include the references when submitting, of course. I just worry they are looking for lots of changes as well. But when I see items like the which is of course J.Lo's famous grammy dress, it makes me want to make ALL the purdy runway dresses I see :D I know, I'm an overthinker. I just like to follow rules and do things right, haha xD

I'd bet that was mentioned about that dress when it was submitted.

I think you'll be fine if you read and follow the stickies in the CW forum. Good luck with your gown!

Thank you, I did see the stickies and read them and made this forum for more clarification but I guess I'll just go with my gut or play it safe rather than sorry from now on :)

I guess I'm just not sure what the rule comes DOWN to. Does it come down to "We need to see the reference dress to make sure that, if it's copyrighted, there are four changes" or does it come down to "We need to see the reference dress to make sure the artist didn't trace?" Then I'll just know what I'll need to seek out as far as references go before commissioning an artist for art that won't be accepted due to my references.

I don't know, knowing the reasoning behind a rule helps me make decisions in the future to stay within that rule.

I'm sure staff would have the best answers for specific reasons behind the rules. There's a Custom Clothing section in the Ticket Center part of the Help Kiosk where you could ask.

From what I understand (I've never submitted a CW btw), it's best to be as forthcoming as possible in the submission form.

Hopefully someone who submits clothing that references other images will stumble upon this topic and have better feedback for you.

I should probably stick to just filing tickets if I have a question :P That will soothe my paranoia but not enable my overthinking, haha xD I appreciate your feedback!